No Speedo or Tach - Dodge Diesel

halbritt · 01-04-2008, 02:11 PM

Driving into work today in very wet conditions, the speedo and tach jumped around and eventually just stopped working. The WTS and WIF lights no longer come on, and the rest of the gauges seem to work fine. I assume that there is an issue with the PCM getting wet and shorting something. I'm wondering if this is a common problem and what the fix might be.

Once the truck dries out, it might just start working again, but I'd rather not have this problem recur. If it is the PCM, it might be dead at this point and need to be replaced. Following that, I assume there's some waterproofing that will have to take place. Anyone have experience with this?

John Faughn · 01-04-2008, 03:09 PM

You need to fill in you truck signature , to get good answers .
Crank sensor possibly .

halbritt · 01-04-2008, 03:29 PM

Good point. It's a '96 12valve.

halbritt · 01-05-2008, 08:16 PM

The issue cleared up after the truck dried off. I still wonder if waterproofing will be necessary.

John Faughn · 01-07-2008, 09:04 AM

I like to put dielectric grease in any connection .

Need95-00CTD · 01-07-2008, 10:31 AM

Well halbritt,

I hope you can find out whats wrong with your truck and tell me...Mine is doing the same thing, but its had time to dry out and hasn't changed. From what I can tell is its not the connections with the PCM, although there is always that possibility, but after pulling them and popping them back on numerous times nothing seems to help, and I can't imagine a connection just failing while I'm driving down the road.

-Matt

whatsup1287 · 01-09-2008, 08:49 PM

I would also check the Crank sensor and the plug for it, my truck was freaking out no tech, speedo, wts, no charge, no od and no converter lock up, and it end up being the plug on the cps.

halbritt · 01-10-2008, 03:21 PM

Thanks for the suggestion. I have a feeling that a wet or loose plug on the CPS might be the problem. I'll check it out.

Katmandu · 01-15-2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatsup1287

I would also check the Crank sensor and the plug for it, my truck was freaking out no tech, speedo, wts, no charge, no od and no converter lock up, and it end up being the plug on the cps.

What is WTS and OD ???

OldDodgeOwner · 01-16-2008, 06:05 PM

My truck did the same thing awhile back, it was a bad connection on the back of the guage cluster, pulled it out and cleaned it up, plugged it back in and everything's worked fine since.

dslpower · 01-17-2008, 10:15 AM

Katmandu, WTS= wait to start and OD= overdrive

jonnydizz · 01-24-2008, 09:09 PM

the same thing was happening to mine and it wasn't the guages being dirty- i wish! same symptoms isyour cruise working? took it to the dealer cause my mechanic was scratching his head and because it's my work horse i figuerd no f***ing around. they had 4 guys tracing wires, manuels all over the place. they had it for the better part of 2 wks. they did rent me a truck though but i couldn't pull my 14' enclosed workshop with a rental-so not much help. anyways, it was the crank sensor AND the pcu. they told me that one took out the other. they were asking me to pay allmost 4000.00 for the repair so i paid for 1700.00 worth of parts and just the actual time spent wrenching. mabey i'll start tellin my customers it's 5x more and then when they barter me down i'll still make a killing. just a few minor problems since the new parts... the cruise keeps speeding up and for some reason, my windshield washer pump is not squirting as good as before! mabey they tampered. looking for some re-work!! good luck tracing wires. wish i had better news.

Katmandu · 01-25-2008, 10:19 AM

Check out this thread I have going about this same issue....

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/d...d.php?t=186943

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnydizz

took it to the dealer .... it was the crank sensor AND the pcu. they told me that one took out the other. they were asking me to pay almost 4000.00 for the repair

I called and explained this situation to my local Dodge Dealer's Service Manager. He told me I had a bad instrument cluster.

I'm waiting for the outside temperature to go up (above 20 degrees) so I can finish working on my truck.

So far I have around $300 in Parts/Repair tied up on it.

$150 for a new (used PCM)
$100 for a new CPS
and $45 for a WRONG alternator diagnosis.

It's been off the road for (4) weeks now. Mainly lack of time to deal with it and now the LOW outside temperatures.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnydizz

good luck tracing wires. wish i had better news.

Did you lose your instrument cluster completely like mine did ???

Check out that other thread. It's more complete and up to date.

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/d...d.php?t=186943

Katmandu · 01-25-2008, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnydizz

the same thing was happening to mine

... it was the crank sensor AND the pcu.

they told me that one took out the other.

I'd like to know how this type of problem originates.

How does a bad CPS take out a PCM (or vice versa) ????

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnydizz

they were asking me to pay allmost 4000.00 for the repair.

What is the itemized breakdown on that repair ??

How much was the PCM and CPS ??

How much labor $$ did they charge you and how many hours did they use ?

patdaly · 01-25-2008, 04:54 PM

Kat, save your old PCM, it may be fine.

I just read on another thread that the PCM is supposed to be protected on 96 and up models to prevent the CPS from killing the PCM.

Worth checking out to have a good spare.

01-04-2008, 03:09 PM	#2
John Faughn Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: St Paul , MN. Posts: 2,881 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	You need to fill in you truck signature , to get good answers . Crank sensor possibly . __________________ Build-12-93 Cummins WHC1 94 2500 4x4 SLT AT 3:55 265 R75 16 New Amsoil EAA cone air filter Amsoil 15-40 dualbypass found here about 01-05 DYNO at Mikes feb19 05 245.7HP 597TQ with coming out of lockup -so not sure about HP&TQ DiPrpocl trans temp EGT boost MBRP 4" alum exhaust Centramatics wheel balancers Solid Steel DSS track bar retro fit kit stabbed KDP

01-05-2008, 08:16 PM	#4
halbritt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 24 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	The issue cleared up after the truck dried off. I still wonder if waterproofing will be necessary. __________________ 1996 2500 4x4 w/NV4500 manual - Mods: pacbrake, speedhut gauges, more to come.

01-07-2008, 10:31 AM	#6
Need95-00CTD Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 922 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Well halbritt, I hope you can find out whats wrong with your truck and tell me...Mine is doing the same thing, but its had time to dry out and hasn't changed. From what I can tell is its not the connections with the PCM, although there is always that possibility, but after pulling them and popping them back on numerous times nothing seems to help, and I can't imagine a connection just failing while I'm driving down the road. -Matt __________________ *-Matt* *Black '98 3500 4x4 QC LWB 5-Spd* - EDM 370's, 191 DV's, 17* Timing, 0 Plate, 3k GSK, Haisley Kicker Pump and Rev Kit, Autometer Pyro and Boost Guages, BHAF, SBC DD 3850 and Big Input Shaft... *Red* *'99 2500 4x4 RC 5-Spd* - Ranch Hand Bumper, 4" Exhuast, 35" X-Terrains, Bilstein Shocks, XZT Box, RV275's, PPE Lift Pump, Custom Big Hose Kit

01-09-2008, 08:49 PM	#7
whatsup1287 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 48 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	I would also check the Crank sensor and the plug for it, my truck was freaking out no tech, speedo, wts, no charge, no od and no converter lock up, and it end up being the plug on the cps. __________________ 97 long bed club cab 4x4.

01-16-2008, 06:05 PM	#10
OldDodgeOwner Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wheatland, WY Posts: 830 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	My truck did the same thing awhile back, it was a bad connection on the back of the guage cluster, pulled it out and cleaned it up, plugged it back in and everything's worked fine since. __________________ 2006 Ram 3500 - QC, LB, DRW, 6 Spd., 4x4, AirLift bags, BrakeSmart, B&W Gooseneck, S&B Intake, Quad Adrenaline/Pulse, 2 Mic Filter, 92 Gal Aux. Tank/Toolbox, AliArc 93 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight 08 Chevy 1500, 5.3, 3" Lift, Hypertech Max Energy SOLD- 2000 Ram 2500 - QC, LB, Sport, 6 Spd SOLD -1990 W350 - SRW, RC, LB, Auto

01-04-2008, 03:29 PM	#3
halbritt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 24 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Good point. It's a '96 12valve.

01-07-2008, 09:04 AM	#5
John Faughn Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: St Paul , MN. Posts: 2,881 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	I like to put dielectric grease in any connection .

01-10-2008, 03:21 PM	#8
halbritt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 24 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Thanks for the suggestion. I have a feeling that a wet or loose plug on the CPS might be the problem. I'll check it out.

01-17-2008, 10:15 AM	#11
dslpower Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Perdido Beach, Alabama Posts: 150 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Katmandu, WTS= wait to start and OD= overdrive __________________ 95 2500 2wd auto, Autometer triple gauges, AFC full forward,3 GSK mod, starwheel loose + hand ground 0 plate 1/2 forward.. 4" straight piped

01-24-2008, 09:09 PM	#12
jonnydizz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 11 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	the same thing was happening to mine and it wasn't the guages being dirty- i wish! same symptoms isyour cruise working? took it to the dealer cause my mechanic was scratching his head and because it's my work horse i figuerd no f***ing around. they had 4 guys tracing wires, manuels all over the place. they had it for the better part of 2 wks. they did rent me a truck though but i couldn't pull my 14' enclosed workshop with a rental-so not much help. anyways, it was the crank sensor AND the pcu. they told me that one took out the other. they were asking me to pay allmost 4000.00 for the repair so i paid for 1700.00 worth of parts and just the actual time spent wrenching. mabey i'll start tellin my customers it's 5x more and then when they barter me down i'll still make a killing. just a few minor problems since the new parts... the cruise keeps speeding up and for some reason, my windshield washer pump is not squirting as good as before! mabey they tampered. looking for some re-work!! good luck tracing wires. wish i had better news. __________________ 96 2500 2x4 ext long box 5 speed 350 km 5.9 12 valve no silencer ring or baffels gets 24 mpg, best work truck ever! soo much pull power. always loaded with tools and still smoke the jokers!

01-25-2008, 04:54 PM	#15
patdaly Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Streator Illinois Posts: 5,351 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Kat, save your old PCM, it may be fine. I just read on another thread that the PCM is supposed to be protected on 96 and up models to prevent the CPS from killing the PCM. Worth checking out to have a good spare. __________________ "Brownie" 1997 2500 Ext.cab SLT, 4X4 auto, 3.54 gears, posilock, 98/99 steering conversion. New TC, lovin her again! Sold 3/13/2010, gone but not forgotten. "Greenie" 1997 2500 Ext. cab SLT, 4X4, NV4500, 3.54 gears, 4" MBRP Exhaust, Ready to install SB DD3250, built just 216 trucks after Brownie!

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